Reactive Dog Programme

You Are Not Alone

This programme consists of two levels of courses for owners with dogs that have trouble coping with the presence of other dogs on walks and that may have been labelled “aggressive” or “fearful”.

Irrespective of your dog’s background and the cause of the “issues”, there are things we can do to help. We cannot, however, make any promises as regards whether we can "cure" your dog, because your dog’s reactivity, as well as the result of the training, will vary depending on many factors, including:

- how you treat your dog from day to day;
- what levels of stress your dog is subjected to on a daily basis;
- your dog’s background;
- your dog’s life experiences to date;
- your dog’s early puppyhood socialization (if any);
- your dog’s inherited temperament traits.

IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT!

Having a dog-reactive dog is often both exhausting and embarrassing. It can be quite daunting at times. Frustrating. Frightening. Disappointing. Depressing. Infuriating. And, at times, heart-breaking.

Our first consideration is to create an environment and an atmosphere where everybody, humans and dogs, can feel SAFE.

In order for our dogs to learn about the world around them, never mind being able to train with you, we need to learn how to create an environment where our dogs can feel SAFE and learn to RELAX in the presence of the things that used to trigger their fears or aggression.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

Before being accepted into the Reactive Dog Programme, your dog must have been assessed by us as suitable for the programme, either through having done private behaviour consultations with us or through a Behaviour Evaluation.

After this, your first class is the 1hr Orientation class without dogs. CLICK HERE for the schedule.

The Reactive Dog Programme consists of 30-mins one-on-one lessons, split into two levels:

Level I: Basic Reactivity Protocols

Learning to exist and work in the presence of your stress triggers (other dogs, etc).

o Happy Muzzle training protocol (if applicable)
o Desensitization and Counter-conditioning
o Emergency Recall
o Relaxation
o Come When Called
o Leave It (don't pick up the food I just dropped)
o Name Game (paying attention to handler)
o Polite Walking
o Settle (go to your mat, lie down and stay there)
o Sit

Level II: BAT - Interaction Protocols

The BAT protocol is used to teach the dog to make his own, appropriate decisions in the presence of other dogs. These lessons are held in a controlled, outdoors environment, year-round.

SCHEDULE OF CLASSES

As a Cowichan Canine Reactive Dog Programme student, you pick your own classes from the schedule, and you can come to class as often as you want.

Lessons are offered several times a week at our new Training Centre in Cobble Hill, which will be finished in the fall of 2020. Please see our online schedule.

Classes are currently held outdoors only.

CLICK HERE FOR LIST OF WHAT TO BRING TO CLASS

ROLLING ENROLLMENT
- NO NEED TO WAIT FOR CLASSES TO BEGIN!

Once we have completed the private training or the Behaviour Evaluation, your first, compulsory class of the Reactive Dog Programme is the Orientation Class. This is a 1-hour theory lesson WITHOUT dogs.

ORIENTATION CLASS

Attendance at Orientation Class is a pre-requisite for the Reactive Dog Programme.

For upcoming orientation classes, CLICK HERE.

MODULAR SCHEDULE

 

- COME TO CLASS WHEN IT SUITS YOU

Once you have attended the Orientation class, you need to book your own class times on the online schedule. You can come to class as often as you wish as the schedule allows.

The curriculum is written on the basis that students attend class regularly and complete homework assignments between each class. 

FAMILY MEMBERS ATTENDING CLASS

Your spouse or significant other is welcome to attend to help with class and with exercises, or just to observe.

Children under the age of 16 years of age are prohibited from attending this lessons in the Reactive Dog Programme.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR CURRENT CLASS FEES

TO BOOK AN EVALUATION

You are welcome to call us to discuss your dog's training options. Unless we already know your dog through previous training, a behaviour evaluation is necessary to establish whether your dog will benefit from the Reactive Dog Programme. To book an Evaluation, please go to our Online Shop, and submit your payment. We will contact you as soon as we receive your payment and send you the Behaviour Information Form. Once we receive the form back from you, we will set up your dog’s Evaluation session at our Training Centre. 

CALL US TODAY to discuss yours and your dogs needs: 

Tel: 250-929-1400  or use our  Office Contact Form
or contact our Canine Behaviour Consultant directly via email:
[email protected]

 

Welcome to our Reactive Dog Programme – we journey together!